District News

Fifth graders learn about raising trout

 

November, 2010

 

Some students jumped right in. Others took a few minutes to build up their courage. But in the end, all of the East Hill fifth grade students had the chance to hold a brown trout at the SUNY Cobleskill fish hatchery.

Students took the field trip on Monday, Nov. 1 as part of “Trout in the Classroom,” a special program sponsored by Trout Unlimited. The program strengthens students’ understanding of biology, math, English, and wildlife management.

Mrs. Dopp, Mrs. Parry, and Mrs. Kolodziej accompanied their students, who learned about raising trout and releasing them into area steams.

Before students were allowed to touch a live fish, they learned the proper procedure for handling the creatures. Then, in groups of four or five, students netted fish from large plastic tanks housing different trout breeds and moved them into small plastic tubs filled with a mild anesthetic. One by one, they took the fish out of the tubs and squeezed bright orange eggs from the females, and milt from the males. Using a feather, they gently stirred them both together to complete the fertilization process. Hatchery staff members placed the eggs in plastic bags for the trip back to school.

Superintendent Richard Rose, an avid fisherman, watched intently as students donned long aqua-colored aprons and gingerly picked up the fish. He occasionally guided the students or offered advice how to handle the fish.

Mr. Rose said teachers have participated in this program for three years. He said there are multiple directions to go with the program. Students can learn about biology, statistics and writing.

“It’s just great. You have to work at infusing this in the entire curriculum,” he said. “They’re learning character building.”

Mrs. Parry and her students took their eggs to a 55-gallon tank in her classroom. Each teacher received about 900 eggs. As in nature, a majority won’t hatch. Each day, students will have to remove the dead eggs and calculate the percentage of the fish that survived. The eggs hatch in about three weeks.

For the next six months, students will feed the fish and test the water to maintain an optimum environment. Step by step, the classes will see the eggs develop into fingerlings. In the spring, the classes will release their trout into a local stream in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Mrs. Parry said she’ll have plenty of time to plan various lessons around the trout. Although they might not always be the focus, they’ll be the inspiration.

“In science, we can teach the life process. And we can do math and chart development,” she said. “Sometimes, the kids will name a fish and write down an entire life for it. They can even write poetry about the life process of the trout.”.